For 40 years Douglas Minto puffed on 20 cigarettes a day but it was a brush with death that led the dad kicking his habit for good.

The 56-year-old, from North Heaton, Newcastle, was taken to hospital last August after repeatedly coughing up blood. Medics warned his heavy habit could be the reason.

Doctors and former railway vehicle builder Douglas feared the worst and the father-of-two vowed never to touch his beloved cigs again.

Now Douglas is in the running to be named Quitter of the Year by charity Quit, and he could bag thousands of pounds of prizes.

"When my GP told me I had to go into hospital straight away I thought it was curtains for me," said Douglas, who has sons Paul, 24, and Andrew, 30, with wife-of-35-years Sheila.

"But after tests doctors found I was OK and I felt like I'd been given a second chance, so I knew I couldn't be seen to be smoking."

Douglas stopped working five years ago after being diagnosed with osteoporosis and arthritis - two conditions doctors said could be made worse by smoking. But Douglas still continued to smoke, even after the death of his brother-in-law and heavy smoker, Fred Cavanagh, from lung cancer.

And in March Douglas' sister, Isabelle Cavanagh, died, aged 59, from lung disease also brought on by smoking.

The health scare came when Douglas noticed he was bleeding when he went to the toilet and was coughing up blood. Fearful of his health his GP admitted him immediately to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital where tests were carried out.

"I thought it was the end but eight days later they told me I was OK," said Douglas.

"When I did well with quitting, Sheila and I thought it would be a good idea to enter for the award.

"Of course, I'd like to win but I feel like I've won already because I've packed in smoking and I've got my health back."

Shortlists for the award will be announced over the next few months and the winner will receive holiday vouchers worth £3,000 and £1,500 cash.

The closing date for entries is this weekend and anyone interested should call Quitline on 0800 00 22 00 or visit quit.org.uk